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Fable: Belling the Cat
Print, read and discuss the fable. Prints well in portrait or landscape mode. View in projectable and printable PDF format. Review the complementary activities below the fable.
Belling the Cat
Once upon a time, a group of little mice lived in a cozy house. But they were always scared—because a sneaky cat kept trying to catch them! She crept so quietly that the mice never knew when she was near. They were too afraid to play, eat, or even peek outside their mouse holes.
One day, the mice had a big meeting. “We need a plan!” said one mouse. “We have to find a way to stay safe from the cat!” They talked and talked, but none of the ideas worked.
Then a young mouse stood up and squeaked, “I know! Let’s tie a bell around the cat’s neck. That way, we’ll hear her coming—*ding-a-ling!*—and we can run and hide!” All the mice cheered. “What a smart idea!” But then an old mouse raised his paw and asked, “That’s a clever plan… but who’s brave enough to put the bell on the cat?”
The room went quiet. No one wanted to get that close to the cat! And so, the bell was never put on, and the mice stayed careful and quiet.
It’s easy to think of smart ideas—but sometimes, doing them is the hardest part!
